council news

Forging Ties acr ss the Causeway

Text and photo by Dr Wong Tien Hua

The Malaysian Medical Association Chulan hotel in the heart the workload of his Ministry’s staff, (MMA) was formed in 1959 and seeks to of the city, within a stone’s throw of the especially for the junior doctors. He represent all doctors, as well as medical iconic Twin Towers at Suria KLCC. also spoke of bolstering public-private students, in . It is interesting to The culmination of the three-day partnerships in the healthcare system note that both the MMA’s and SMA’s event was the gala dinner held on the and of looking into the provision of crests bear the same motto of “Jasa evening of 30 June. The dinner was universal health coverage. Utama” or “Service before Self”. graced by the Sultan of , Sultan Finally, the newly minted MMA Being a large country, it is logistically Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, and his wife president, Dr Mohamed Namazie challenging to bring all its members Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim. Ibrahim, also delivered a speech in which together at once. As such, the MMA The guest of honor was Dr Dzulkefly he requested for quicker placements of holds an annual national convention Ahmad, a toxicologist by training, who housemen and a revision of the medical together with its annual general meeting was named the Health Minister in the new fee schedule. and annual dinner, providing a platform Cabinet of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir We would like to thank the MMA for to bring together continuing medical Mohamad in May 2018. In his speech, their hospitality and for the insights education, networking and social events. Dr Dzulkefly stated that he wanted gained during the convention and This year, the National MMA to address the “toxic work culture” of congress. We wish the MMA all the best Convention and Scientific Congress was healthcare practitioners, put an end to in their endeavours to improve the held from 28 to 30 June 2018 at Royale bullying and look into ways to reduce nation’s healthcare landscape.

Legend 1. Dr Wong with foreign guests at the MMA annual dinner in Kuala Lumpur

Dr Wong is the 1st Vice President of the 59th SMA Council. He is a family medicine physician practising in Sengkang. Dr Wong has an interest in primary care, patient communication and medical ethics. Photo: MalaysianPhoto: Medical Association

12 AUG 2018 SMA News